Kraven

I beat Cronos: The New Dawn and I thought it was excellent. I took my time, too, clocking in approximately 30-hours to complete on Xbox Series X. I managed to unlock most achievements during my first run—finding all cats, comic books, and travel logs. I am now a third of the way through on my NG+ Hard mode attempt to mop up the remaining achievements for a 100% completion.

I’m now starting Fire Emblem: Fortune’s Weave. I’ve wrapped up the prologue and decided to start as Dietrich. I’m in Part 1; chapter 4, and his story has been great.

There are two issues I have with the game. First is the character models—some of them are hideous and really oddly designed, such as Fabio’s eyes and Baozi’s smile. The second is the lip syncing with the dialogue. It doesn’t match what the characters are saying.

Aside from that, in my opinion, Fortune’s Weave is already a better game than Engage—a game that left me immensely disappointed. Fortunately, no pun intended, this new entry could be on the same level as Awakening and Three Houses.

I can’t wait for this. I fully expected it to be a great game and it turns out it is.

I had to pick up Dying Light just on principle alone. It is so cheap and such a good game.

I have completed Onimusha: Way of the Sword on Xbox Series X. I got every achievement you can get on a single run — max upgraded all equipment, abilities, found every weapon, and did every side quest. It took me approximately 35-hours.

My opinion is mixed. Maybe it’s because my play style forces me to do everything I possibly can in my first playthrough, and then do NG+ after if I’m not feeling burned out. With that said, Onimusha WotS is a perfect 12-hour game, but a bad 35-hour game. I think this game will benefit from a NG+ so you can trim the fat.

I’ll probably do a NG+ run sometime down the line. I wouldn’t mind mopping up the achievements. I’m going to set it to the side for now and since it’s getting closer to spooky season, I have finally decided to boot up Cronos The New Dawn. It’s fantastic so far.

Why is everyone suddenly against Asha? She has been doing great things for the brand, so what minor grievance has she committed to have this sudden turn of events?

I completed Mortal Shell 2 and I’m halfway through NG+ but putting that on pause for the moment. I am now playing Onimusha: Way of the Sword and it’s awesome. The combat is great, the story is compelling, Musashi is a genuinely funny character with emotional depth, and the game is pure fun reminiscent of the early 2000s. I’ve defeated two of the bosses so far and I can’t wait to play more when I get the free time. Capcom once again delivers another banger.

@Fiendish-Beaver Yeah, those pickaxe guys are way too OP. They are the bane of my existence.

I’m wrapping up my playthrough of Mortal Shell 2 on Xbox Series X. I’m three achievements away from 100%’ing the game, but I’ll wrap those up during a NG+ later down the road when there aren’t so many good games out. It’s been a fantastic experience, and it’s definitely worth the money.

Sounds awesome! There are so many games out right now. I’m making my way through Mortal Shell 2, close to the end, and tomorrow this game comes out along with Star Wars Zero Company which I preordered. In a week or two Onimusha and Blood of the Dawnwalker almost back to back. Good god.

No Law is the game of the show for me. It looks awesome.

@Fiendish-Beaver Same here! I’ve now progressed quite a bit. I beat the “first” main boss, level 15, unlocked a handful of new weapons, and finally traversing the area where we initially went first. It’s been awesome so far!

How is Gotham Knights for those who have played it? I own it, but I just never get the urge to play.

@Fiendish-Beaver Haha, did you go straight once you got into the explorable world, or did you go behind you? I went forward and realized that wasn’t the ideal way to start.

I’m playing Mortal Shell 2 on Xbox. The first couple of hours can be absolutely brutal, especially if you go to the more difficult areas unintentionally as I did. However, once you can get past that initial hump, the game is awesome. It’s up there with Lies of P for me.

Number 1 and 5 are a godsend for me. I can’t wait for this to release for everyone.

@Nic-Noc20th-C Ohhh, Gears Tactics 2 is a solid guess. It would make sense, too.

@ZombiesEveryWhere I would lose my freaking mind if that was the game. The first one is one of my all time favorite games. I still remember being shocked in came with 4 discs.

I know it’s not going to be this, but I would love if it was announced that Trails in the Sky chapter 2 would be the “sequel” coming, and perhaps add the first game to the console and even Game Pass to heighten the excitement. I think those games should desperately be on Xbox, but that is a pipe dream at this point.

After not playing games for two months and some change, I decided to play this because I was feeling nostalgic. I have gotta say that it’s been a blast and really reminds me of some very fond memories playing this game religiously with my best friend during summer break, co-oping the campaign dozens upon dozens of times.

It looks cool. I might check it out.

I’m pretty hooked on Final Fantasy XIV on the Switch 2 at the moment. I’m not that far, but have completed numerous side quests and dungeons. I’m currently a level 22 archer and a level 20 lancer.

I’m also slowly going through Halo Campaign Evolved on the Xbox Series X. It’s been fun so far, and a really huge nostalgia boost.

I’m finally playing games again, but still not as much as I used to. I’ve taken a massive step back because it was consuming too much of my life, free time, and mind. That said, I did buy Final Fantasy XIV for Switch 2. It’s my first MMO since RuneScape in the 90s (no joke), so I’m overwhelmed, but I like it so far. It’s even better than I can play this type of game on handheld - one of the main reasons why I purchased it to begin with.

@Z1G Aside from owning the Series X, I have a Switch 2 and PS5, so I think those two consoles should keep me plenty busy.

I think I’m officially done with Xbox and its brand. I just can’t anymore.

Last Sunday I got the platinum for 007 First Light. While I [patiently] waited for The Adventures of Elliot to release, I was hankering for an RPG to play. I decided to replay The Witcher 3 for the fifth time, this instance being on Nintendo Switch 2.

I want to apologize to Elliot — you’re going to have to wait much longer to be played. I’m once again absorbed into this brutal, yet gorgeous Continent. Being able to take this adventure on the go is a godsend, and feels tailor made for that type of experience.

It’s also much better than I remembered; it ages like fine wine. There isn’t much more that can be said about this game that hasn’t been said before over the last 13 years. The writing is top notch, the characters are compelling, the main and side missions are some of the most in-depth, multilayered quests I’ve ever experienced, and exploration is consistently rewarding.

In short, this game is a bonafide masterpiece in every facet. Thirteen years later it still stands above most games today. Before Red Dead Redemption 2 and Elden Ring there was The Witcher 3. And thank God for that.

Just when I thought the XBOX brand was coming back with a more focused attitude, and getting players involved in the ecosystem again, they always manage to have negative impacts weekly. I understand Asha said that things are going to be rough, and tons of changes/sacrifices are going to be made, but this is still incredibly brutal. I wish XBOX the best, but I don’t think they know what they are doing or even should be doing. They are throwing crap to the wall and hoping it sticks.

I’m working on finishing up the platinum for 007 First Light.

I understand the sentiment people are sharing about a lack of transparency with console exclusives, particularly the games that have been chosen. Some of these games have been known to Sony for a while, and I’m sure contracts have been signed for cross platforming. It sucks that Halo and Forza aren’t exclusive, but Asha can’t undo Phil’s decisions in that short of a time; the deal has already been done. However, I think this decision might get people back into the brand IF Gears and Clockwork turn out to be the excellent games (I believe they will). In my opinion, this is a start to making XBOX relevant again in the console space. Asha has done a great job so far, and I’m sure there will be more plans in the future to shape the brand back to what the 360 generation brought.

@Tasuki I understand your perspective, but given the few months Asha has been in charge, I think she has done an excellent job at getting people interested in XBOX again. Will it work down the road/long term; I don’t know. But at least she has done more positive things for the brand than Phil in the last few years. Gotta give props sometime, regardless of what console you prefer.

@Nicekix And the fact that you think I’m somehow a fanboy of Xbox because I’m a little critical of Sony is mind blowing. You make an assumption based on a single paragraph, and then refuse to listen to what I say. People can be critical of something and still like it at the same time.

@Nicekix So I can’t criticize Sony even though it’s my main platform of choice? And yes, I did buy Astro Bot. I thought it was an excellent game. You’re being a fanboy despite me preferring Sony over Microsoft. Regardless of what you say, they have had the same type of games. Spider-Man 1&2 (I got the plat for those and enjoyed it), both God of War games (I have the platinum for both), both Horizon games (have the platinum for both), Returnal and Saros, Ghost of Tsushima and Yotei (I have the platinum for both), Rise of the Ronin (I have the platinum for that too), and so forth. Would I like some variety other than third person action adventure games? Absolutely. Although unlikely, but a FPS would be nice again - Killzone and/or Resistance. How about the exclusive Detroit Become Human? Hell, I even enjoyed Concrete Geenie. Even more so, The Last of Us from 2013 is my favorite game of all time, and nothing has come close to dethroning it for me personally. Learn to accept criticism.

@Nicekix What exactly is your issue because it doesn’t make sense. Are you bothered by the idea that I’m burned out by the Sony formula, but I still play the games because they are good? Do you think I’m a hater of Sony? If so, I can show you my trophies and platinums, and how frequently I play.

Do you think I’m some weird Xbox fanboy? If so, check my comment history. I like video games; I don’t care what console it’s on. I play on my Switch 2 regularly. I’m really not sure what your problem is?

@Nicekix First of all, I said that Sony first party games are becoming more of the same, not that they aren’t good games. They will more than likely be good and I’ll play them because I like good games. All I’m saying is that they don’t have that awe factor that they once did in the PS3 era, or early PS4.

As for Xbox, I do purchase their games. I preordered them the special edition of Starfield, bought Forza 5 & 6, Halo Infinite, DOOM The Datk Ages, and Hellblade 2, even if they are on Game Pass. I spend quite a bit of money on the Xbox.

Anything else snarky you want to say?

I finally got 100% in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was excellent and immersive. The Riddler and Cluemaster puzzles were a grind. I’m glad the game is over. That said, it has gotten me back into the world of comics, and now I’m reading several Batman stories.

I also finished Mina the Hollower. After some reflection, I consider it better than Shovel Knight which is no easy task. It’s easily one of the most charming Zelda-likes I’ve ever played. The amount of secrets to uncover, from hidden bosses, new locations, additional weapons, trinkets and more, each frame features something unique if you pay attention.

The comparison to Bloodborne is hard to understand. If it’s referring to difficulty, then maybe there is an argument for that. However, if we are going to compare it to a FromSoft game then I think Elden Ring is the appropriate choice. There are several subtle nods and (secrets?) moments in Mina that are reminiscent of various secrets in ER.

And now, according to the developers, many people are missing out on approximately 50% of the game. I have an item that tracks your collectibles per location, but I’m really intrigued if there is even more to unearth if you experiment.

I now have 007 First Light on the docket, but I’m not entirely in the mood to play it at the moment. In the same vein, however, I downloaded Hitman: Blood Money on the Nintendo Switch 2. It’s one of the rare games in the franchise that I haven’t played. I’m not very far, but what I’ve played has been fun, albeit archaic in its mechanics. Nonetheless, that’s sort of to be expected. And with the announcement of the original trilogy being remastered, I’m even more enthralled to be immersed in this world of Agent 47.

This is really cool news. I’ve ironically just started Blood Money earlier today.

And I will be buying this day one. It looks incredible.

As much as I love PlayStation, this showcase once again showed me why I’m losing steam on their exclusives. The third party adventures that have the same type of gameplay gets exhausting. Don’t get me wrong, Wolverine and God of War look great—I’ll be buying them, no doubt—but I feel like I’ve seen these worlds 100x over. It all feels the same.

I finished the main campaign in LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. It was fantastic from start to finish. I’m now slowly grinding and chipping away at the remaining collectibles to get 100%. I play for maybe 30-minutes a day to mop them up.

But what I want to really talk about most is Mina the Hollower, my most anticipated game in the last three years. I ignored reading reviews (though I did see the scores), only watched the first reveal trailer, and went in completely blind. Boy, my expectations were met and more.

I’m a few hours in, a couple of dungeons and bosses down, and I feel as if I’m only scratching the surface as to what this game actually **is**. It’s the perfect blend of 2D Zelda titles, and Soulslike difficulty. The checkpoints can be unforgiving, and if you die you lose your “bones” unless you collect them back after your death. This may turn people away — understandably, might I add — and it caught me off guard.

If you are willing, there are a ton of modifiers to help make the game easier. Some of these options don’t feel like cheating, or making your playthrough feel less than. For example, you can turn on the ability to heal faster.

The moment to moment gameplay feels fantastic, as does the handful of weapons. I’ve tinkered around with a few and settled on the hammer, but I do enjoy the Castlevania-esque whip. The RPG-lite elements are a nice touch, too. Leveling up your weapons, gear, and other trinkets creates a layer of depth that has tons of options for unique builds.

Meanwhile, exploration is consistently rewarding. Being a mouse and using its abilities such as burrowing is such a fun element to incorporate not only in its combat, but exploration. I’ve discovered numerous of secrets so far, some of obvious, while others are challenging. Mina has that rare feat where when you uncover a secret you feel as if you’re the first person to do so.

As mentioned, I’m only a few hours in so I can’t really go in depth with an analysis of the game. With what I have experienced so far, I can say it’s shaping up to be my GOTY. Whether or not that will change the further I progress is to be determined. But right now, I can confidently say Yacht Club has burrowed it out of the park again.

Fable, Clockwork Revolution, and Plague’s Tale are on my radar big time. It seems like these games will be releasing relatively soon, too.

This has been my most anticipated game for years. I’m stoked to see the game not only live up to the hype but also exceed it. I’ll probably play Mina on the Switch 2 since I find these types of games tailored made for handheld. Man, there are so many great games out right now.

This is mind blowing. I suppose it’s time to replay The Witcher 3, and its two subsequent DLCs which are brilliant

It sounds great, and the Open Critic score is fantastic right now. I’m looking forward to playing this later this evening when I get off work.

@Lanmanna To me, I find digital is cheaper in some aspects. I’ve never payed tax for a digital game. If I did physical, I would have to pay at least 6 to 8 dollars more, at least where I live.

@Questionable_Duck I, too, think that should be high on the list. The Trails series would do well, I believe, on Xbox.

@Balaam_ You’re not understanding the issue with physical vs digital media. You are in a very small minority (you just have a loud voice). Going digital isn’t on the publisher or developer, it’s on the people. The majority of people prefer digital, whether it’s for convenience or otherwise. If there was still a strong market for physical media then it would still be more relevant. Unfortunately, that’s just how the state of the world is: television, film, music, all of that, people want to be able to access it immediately and from anywhere. Physical media is unfortunately not very viable for the state of the economy. If you are going to blame someone, blame the people, not the company because the companies will lose money by creating a physical product that hardly anyone would buy (to make a substantial difference).

@Fiendish-Beaver There are difficulty options, and playing on Hard mode makes the combat way more enjoyable and challenging. There are also some Riddler puzzles that are genuinely difficult, if that’s sort of your thing too.

I’m playing LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight. I was hesitant on buying this game. My usual experience goes as follows: one half of my brain tells me to buy [these games] because it sounds fun whilst the other half says I won’t play for that long and move on to something else. Of course, I buy them and lose interest within thirty minutes.

Here I am again, being irrational with my purchase. Miraculously, my experience has been drastically different from prior experiences. I quite literally can’t stop playing. I’ve put in 15 hours already.

The first thing that stood out to me and has yet to falter is how charming the game is, not only from its game world, but the characters and their animations. I have genuinely laughed multiple times throughout my experience. It has brought out my inner kid, and makes me realize games are meant to be fun and entertaining, not always about trophies and achievements.

Gotham City itself is a story all on its own. It’s a gorgeous world to explore, and trust me, it’s massive. There are a myriad of random activities to partake in—stopping crime, of course, solving Riddler puzzles (some are actually challenging), tracking down zoo animals that have been running amok, racing trials, and a lot more.

You can also go to your Batcave at any point in time. Here you can upgrade your hideout and expand its capabilities. You’ll be able to buy nearly every iteration of the Batmobile, but also vehicles used by other characters in the bat-verse. You can upgrade your arsenal, cash in on completed challenges, open up a shop where you can buy various items for your hideout. You can also buy or unlock over 100 costumes for your character(s), paying homage to its illustrious history.

Speaking of paying its respect to its long standing history, this game is essentially a collection of the Nolan universe, and follows that trilogy. However, it takes its own liberties and remixes things to add much more fun nuances. I was initially surprised, but it’s been a welcome addition.

Of course, you can’t mention Batman without synonymously mentioning combat and detective work. I’m thrilled to report that both are a main focus, and are very fun. It’s essentially the Arkham games in a LEGO skin. The combat is free flowing and works well in each environment you’re fighting in. You will also use various tools at your disposal to unlock new areas, track down suspects, and get the advantage on your enemies. The only downside is that combat can be trivially easy. It basically becomes a button mash romp, and it can get repetitive quickly. Nonetheless, the game still manages to be fun amidst its own monotony which is a huge compliment.

Ultimately, if you are a fan of the Arkham trilogy then you should feel right at home with this entry. It is essentially a new entry in that universe, but in a LEGO skin. Yes, it’s still a “kid’s” game, but it’s much more than that. Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight is not only a great Batman game, but a great game in general that should be played by a wide audience. This Batman symbol shines bright.

I can’t wait. Xbox is killing it this year. And Playground Games doesn’t miss.

Glad to see it’s getting good reviews! I’ve been anticipating this game for a while.